In a nutshell
- Santa Teresa is Costa Rica’s top surfer hotspot — people here surf, do yoga, or lounge on unspoiled beaches with a book.
- This guide covers everything you need to know for visiting Santa Teresa: beaches, activities, where to stay, and how to get there.
- We strongly recommend booking a surf lesson — even if you’ve never surfed before. Just soak up the laid-back vibes and go for it.
- Our top pick for accommodation: Casa Cecilia Beach Front — gorgeous rooms, ocean views, and right on Playa Santa Teresa.
What Makes Santa Teresa Special
Santa Teresa is a popular hotspot for surfers. The place is teeming with them — and not just on the beach. Everywhere you look, you’ll see people carrying a surfboard under their arm, on a bike, on a quad, or in a restaurant.
Between April and August, the waves in Santa Teresa are especially good — that’s also the best time to visit Costa Rica, and the weather is reliably great. But even in the off-season, Santa Teresa is really beautiful — just a lot quieter.
Where Is Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa is located on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, more specifically on the Nicoya Peninsula.
If you’re not sure exactly where that is, no worries. We’ve marked Santa Teresa on a map for you.
Things to Do in Santa Teresa
Surfing in Santa Teresa
In Santa Teresa, everything really does revolve around surfing. If you already know how to surf, great! Grab a board and throw yourself into the waves.
If you’re a beginner, no problem. Definitely book a surf lesson or sign yourself up for a few days at a surf camp.
Playa Hermosa is considered one of the best beaches for beginners. It’s only ten minutes from the center of Santa Teresa.
Book a surf lesson in Santa Teresa
Swimming in Santa Teresa
But even if you don’t want to surf, Santa Teresa deserves a spot on your Costa Rica road trip itinerary. The beaches here are among the most beautiful in Costa Rica.
Beyond Playa Hermosa, there are two more stunning beaches: Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Santa Carmen. Together they stretch for five kilometers.
Here you can relax with a book, go for a swim, take a stroll, or watch the surfers do their thing.
Yoga in Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa also has plenty of yoga studios, perfect for loosening up those overworked muscles after a session in the waves. And yoga can be a wonderful way to start your day too.
We didn’t do yoga in Santa Teresa ourselves, so we recommend asking at your accommodation. We’re sure they’ll be able to point you toward a great spot.
Hotels and Accommodations in Santa Teresa
Prices for accommodation in Santa Teresa are higher than in the rest of the country, especially if you want to stay right on Playa Santa Teresa. In return, many places have direct beach access — how cool is that!
If you want to spend a bit less, we recommend a hostel or place to stay near Playa Carmen. Keep in mind, though, that from here it’s about a 40-minute walk to Santa Teresa.
ESO Santa Teresa: Trendy hostel with affordable double rooms and private bathrooms. Features a pool, bar, and yoga.
Fuego Lodge: Gorgeous property with cozy rooms, a pool, yoga classes, and close to the beach.
Hotel Luz de Luna: Rustic bungalow complex with modern rooms, a pool, and close to the beach.
Casa Cecilia Beach Front: One of the most beautiful beachfront hotels in Costa Rica, right on Playa Santa Teresa.
Getting to Santa Teresa by Car, Ferry, and Bus
Getting There by Car
If you’re traveling by car, you have two options for getting to Santa Teresa.
Option #1: By Ferry
Santa Teresa is located on a peninsula, so there is a car ferry between Puntarenas and Paquera.
First, drive to the port in Puntarenas — you can find it on Google Maps under Ferry El Carmen Puntarenas. From San José, it takes about 1.5 hours. You should arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before departure.
Make sure you take the right ferry, as two ferries depart from there. The one to Paquera runs several times a day between 4 AM and 10 PM. You can check departure times on the ferry’s website.
A car with one driver costs $24 one way. A foot passenger pays only $1.50. You can buy your ticket online in advance via QuickPayCR.
If you want to buy your ticket on-site, we recommend arriving about one to two hours before departure to improve your chances of getting a spot. At the ticket window, you can only pay in cash and in colones.
The ferry takes about 70 minutes. You can get out of your car during the crossing — the scenery is absolutely beautiful.
Once you arrive in Paquera, it takes about another hour by car to reach Santa Teresa.
Option #2: Without the Ferry
If you want to skip the ferry, the easiest option is to enter Santa Teresa into your GPS and add Puente La Amistad as a waypoint.
This route is about 100 kilometers longer. However, since you also have to factor in waiting time for the ferry, the difference in travel time is minimal. From San José to Santa Teresa without the ferry is about 5.5 hours.
If you get seasick easily, this is a great option for you. If not, we’d always recommend the ferry.
Getting There by Bus
Currently there is no direct bus from San José to Santa Teresa, and you’ll need to transfer once in Cóbano.
However, the bus to Cóbano only runs once a day at 6 AM from Terminal 7-10.
It’s best to buy your ticket in advance online through the La Terminal website. It costs $15.
Due to a booking fee, it’s slightly more expensive than buying it at the bus terminal. We don’t recommend doing that, though, since seats can sell out quickly.
The bus to Cóbano also takes the ferry. You’ll have to get off the bus during the crossing. Make sure to take your valuables with you. In Paquera, you wait at the dock for your bus. Be sure to remember its color and name.
In Cóbano, you’ll need to transfer. You’ll be dropped off on the side of the road — look for the sign Parada de Autobuses (Google Maps link), where the bus to Santa Teresa departs.
There’s no exact schedule for this bus, but it runs daily roughly between 6 AM and 7 PM. You’ll find other travelers and locals there who are also waiting — it’s worth chatting with them.
You buy your ticket directly from the bus driver; it costs around $2. The ride takes about 45 minutes.
Getting There by Minivan
A more relaxed option is the shared minivan. It’s also more comfortable and faster, though a bit pricier. You also have the option of being picked up from your hotel or heading straight from the airport in San José.
You’ll need to book the minivan online in advance — we recommend using the booking platform 12Go.
Book a minivan to Santa Teresa
Our Top Tips for Visiting Santa Teresa
If you’ve never surfed before, don’t go in the water without a surf instructor. The waves can get genuinely dangerous.
On the beach, you’ll often see locals selling coconuts — we usually paid just $1–2 for one. They’re so delicious! Once you’ve drunk the water, ask the vendor if they can crack it open for you. Then you can eat the coconut flesh.
From Santa Teresa, you can take a day trip to Montezuma and the Montezuma Falls. These are three waterfalls stacked one above the other, and you can even jump off them. For us, it’s one of the best attractions in Costa Rica. By car, it’s only 30 minutes away. You can also go by quad. We don’t recommend taking the bus.
